Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

527. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a taskforce to review working conditions in the meat processing industry in view of recent media reports and statements presented to the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17103/20]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In the context of the Covid19 pandemic, primary responsibility for public health policy and implementation rests with the Department of Health and the HSE. Responsibility for health and safety in the workplace rests with the Health and Safety Authority, under the auspices of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

My Department's statutory responsibility in the context of meat plants is to ensure that the Department approved meat plants operate in compliance with the EU’s food hygiene legislation, animal health and animal welfare standards.

As part of the whole of Government response to the pandemic, my Department will continue to contribute to the HSE-chaired National Outbreak Control Team and will provide any support required to the HSE at local and national level.